All three starters are missing from action again today as the Rockies host the Brewers at Hi Corbett Field. Troy Tulowitzki has been getting treatment for a stiff lower back. He was scratched from Saturday’s game in Surprise and predicted he would play today. Obviously, the back is bothering Tulo more than he’s letting on.

Hawpe tweaked his left hamstring on Friday and predicted he would play Sunday. No go. It’s not a big deal, expect that after missing two weeks with a lacerated pink, Hawpe needs the at-bats. He has only 14 this spring.

The Rockies are hopeful Atkins sore groin heals enough to allow him back on the field this week. If he’s not ready, he probably won’t be ready for the April 6 opener against Arizona.

At the plate: Todd Helton (hitting .300) singled to left to lead off the fourth inning, then scooted to third on Matt Murton’s shallow single to right. That’s normally not a big deal, except that it was the first time Helton’s had to leg it out on the bases and test his surgically repaired back. He showed no ill effects from the 180-foot sprint and trotted home on Jeff Baker’s single.

“I’m pretty confident he’s healthy,” starter Aaron Cook said. “I think you can see the way he’s swinging the bat and the way he’s waiting on pitches that he’s trusting his body again. That’s what we need Todd to do, get healthy and trust his body again.”

Credit Ian Stewart — his average back up to .294 — with another clutch hit. In the eighth, he drove in Mark Bellhorn with a single to right, giving the Rockies a 4-3 victory.

There’s likely no room on the 25-man roster for utility man Christian Colonel, but he’s giving the Rockies plenty to think about. He lined an RBI-single to left in the fourth and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth. While his average isn’t great, he’s played well in the field and he’s driven in eight runs.

On the mound: It would be hard to imagine starter Cook having a much sharper spring training. After giving up one run on five hits, Cook reduced his ERA to 1.89. Though he ran into trouble in the second, giving up a double and a single, his trusty sinker got him out of trouble.

Cook has been working overtime on his changeup and curve, looking for more variety, but today, facing the Indians for the third time this spring, he stuck to basics.

“He’s gone at the Indians three different ways,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “The last time he faced them his sinker was decent, but his secondary pitches were so good in Goodyear. Today he sunk the ball, made quick contact, threw just 59 pitches and (had) very good pace on the mound.”

Hurdle’s verdict on Cook’s spring: “So far so good. The target points he set out to hit, he’s hitting. He has command of the bottom of the zone better than maybe any pitcher we have in camp right now.”

Juan Morillo, well aware that every inning counts for him as he tries to make the roster, had his fastball blazing today. He allowed a hit and a walk in one inning, but struck out two.

Randy Flores, coming back from shoulder surgery, got roughed up a bit in the seventh when the Indians’ George Lombard hit a two-run homer to deep center.

In the field: Clint Barmes, filling in at short for Troy Tulowitzki (tight lower back) was a busy man. He made the play of the game in the sixth, leaping high to snare a line drive off the bat of Trevor Crowe.

Footnotes: Today marked the Indians’ first game at Hi Corbett Field since March 31, 1992 when they hosted the Cubs. The Indians called Hi Corbett their spring home from 1947 through 1992. From 1993 through 2008 they were in Winter Haven, Fla. The Indians moved to a new complex in Goodyear, west of Phoenix, this year.

The Rockies moved into Hi Corbett in 1993, their inaugural season. This could be the Rockies’ final spring in Tucson, although it’s looking more likely that they won’t make the move to the Phoenix area until 2011.

Injury update: Brad Hawpe (left hamstring) and Tulowitzki have a chance to be back in the starting lineup Monday. The Rockies hope to get Garrett Atkins (groin) back on the field sometime this week in hopes of getting him ready for the regular season.

“(Trainer Keith Dugger) and I are penciling some things down,” Hurdle said. “Barring any setbacks, if we can get some activity started this week, I do believe we have enough time witha combination of playing games here — maybe five innings here, then send him to a minor-league game just to get at-bats — we still have enough time to get him ready.”

Three key Rockies – third baseman Garrett Atkins, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and right fielder Brad Hawpe – won’t play against the Indians today.

Tulowitzki, whose back stiffened up during the long bus ride to Surprise Sunday, is considered “day-to-day.” He’ll ride the bike today, get treatment and see how he feels tomorrow.

“If it were the regular season I could play, but we’re just being smart,” Tulo said this morning.

Hawpe, who tweaked his left hamstring Friday, had said he expected to play today. He won’t, with trainer Keith Dugger saying that Hawpe will get some treatment over the next day or so. Still, Hawpe’s hammy doesn’t seem to be a big deal.

Of the three injured amigos, Atkins remains the most hobbled. His strained groin is slowly improving, but he’s still days away from playing.

“It’s getting better and we’ll start testing it soon,” Atkins said this morning.

Atkins took limited infield Sunday and also took batting practice in the cages. He’s scheduled to do some running today.

“I don’t know how much, but that will be a test to see where I am,” he said.

At the plate: The day’s highlight soared off the bat of Rangers prospect Chad Tracy, son of Rockies bench coach Jim Tracy. The Rockies intentionally walked the bases full in the seventh, setting the stage for Chad Tracy. The 23-year-old promptly hammered a pitch by Jhoulys Chacin over the left-field wall for a grand slam.

On the Rockies’ side, Matt Murton continues making it tough for the club to leave him off the roster. He led off the sixth with a turbocharged line-drive homer to left off Rangers starter Kevin Millwood. It was Murton’s second homer of the spring. After going 1-for-4, he’s hitting .351.

Ian Stewart nearly parked one beyond dead center in the fourth. He settled for a triple, scoring on Jeff Baker’s infield grounder.

Joe Koshansky made amends for two early strikeouts by hitting his second home run of spring, a 450-foot drive to center to open the seventh.

On the mound: Jorge De La Rosa wasn’t as crisp as his last outing when he blanked the Dodgers for three innings. However, he pitched better than his line – four innings, three runs on six hits – indicated. He was the victim of a couple of cheap hits.

The best news was that De La Rosa didn’t collapse when he got in trouble. Plus, his stuff was dynamite. He mixed a 93-94 mph fastball with off-speed pitches in the low 80s en route to five strikeouts. He didn’t walk any.

“That’s good, no walks,” said De La Rosa, who was most pleased with his slider and changeup. “I’m starting to feel much better and have better command.”

Chacin, the prized right-handed prospect got rocked. He walked four, one intentionally, and also got pounded for five runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Though Chacin still makes mistakes by trying to blow the ball past hitters some times, it’s easy to see why the Rockies are so enamored with the 21-year-old. In the sixth inning, for instance, he used a trusty sinker to induce a groundball and escape a bases-loaded jam.

In the field: Fundamentals failed the Rockies in the third inning when left fielder Seth Smith and shortstop Omar Quintanilla miss-communicated on a shallow pop-up, leading to a cheap double by Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Footnotes: Troy Tulowitzki was a late scratch at shortstop because of a tight lower back. He would have been able to play has today’s game come in the regular season. Baker, the subject of trade rumors, continued his comeback from a sore right elbow. He started at second and played the entire game.

The Rockies return to Hi Corbett Field today with a strong lineup. Third baseman Garrett Atkins is not playing, still hitting off a tee as he recovers from an injured right groin.
Manager Clint Hurdle told me yesterday that he would like to decide on his core lineup in a week. He plans to get those players heavily involved to build continuity as spring training draws to a close.

Tucson – For most of the Rockies, today meant much-need R&R in the midst of a long spring training. The timing was perfect, coming a day after the St. Patrick’s Day/Tulopalooza Party at a swanky spread in East Tucson.

But for a few Rockies – namely pitchers Greg Smith and Josh Fogg – today was an important workday on the dusty back diamonds beyond Hi Corbett Field.

Smith, the lefty acquired in the Matt Holliday trade, still has hopes of making the starting rotation. He took a good step forward, pitching two clean innings, striking out four Diamondbacks prospects and allowing no hits. It was Smith’s first game action sent a nasty flu-bug dropped him into bed for a week with a 101-degree fever.

“I thought it was a good first step,” Smith said. “I’m feeling a lot better, but all my strength’s not back yet. I’m at about 80 percent.”

Though he left his four-seam fastball up too much, his curverball as sharp and his two-seamer had bite.

Fogg, his fastball consistently missing spots, didn’t fare as well. In four innings, Fogg gave up five runs on six hits. He walked two and stuck out one. Fogg is competing for a job, most likely as a long reliever and emergency starter, so it was not a good outing for him — back fields or not.

“I got out there and stretched things out, but I wasn’t happy with today by any means,” Fogg said.

Fogg’s third inning was particularly messy and include an inside-the-park homer when the right fielder dove and missed a line drive, then couldn’t find the baseball.

Utility man Jeff Baker, needing at-bats after missing so much of spring with a sore right elbow, worked as the DH in the game pitched by Fogg. Baker creamed the ball three times and hit a huge homer into the parking lot.

“I’m doing good now, we’re over that hill,” Baker said, referring to his problematic elbow. “It’s just a matter of building up arm strength.”

Not because he’s the Rockies’ No. 1 pitcher and is playing under a $34 million contract.
Rather, it’s because he’s talented enough, confident enough and secure enough in his position to afford experimentation.

For other pitchers trying to make the team – think of Jason Hirsh, whom the Rockies sent down to Triple A Monday – there is no such comfort zone. For them, each spring outing carries enormous weight.

Not so for Cook. While his teammates were playing the Diamondbacks across town at Tucson Electric Park, Cook sweated it out on a back diamond behind Hi Corbett Field, pitching in an intra-squad minor-league game.

He threw 78 pitches over six innings, giving up three runs. When he threw his heavy sinker, as he did in exclusively in the sixth, the over-eager prospects beat the ball into the dirt.

But that’s not what this day was about. Cook spent much of his six innings working on his curve and changeup. The results were mixed. He gave up a triple and a double. In the fifth he gave up an enormous homer to prospect Daniel Mayora. The homer came on a changeup that didn’t change enough.

“I threw a lot of breaking balls and off-speed stuff today,” Cook told me as we walked back to the clubhouse on a perfect spring day. “It’s definitely a luxury to be able to work on this stuff.”

But why mess with success? Cook already has one of the best sinkers in the National League and a very good four-seam fastball to keep hitters honest.

“I’m trying to be a little less predictable,” Cook said.

The fact that he got hit hard a few times was of little concern.

“It’s great because in a situation like this, if a guy crushes it really doesn’t matter,” he said. “I’m just trying to get a feel for my pitches. At the end of the day, we’re all better for it.”

Yes, Cook said, he could experiment in a Cactus League game, only not as freely. He told me that homers hit by the D-Backs in March, in Tucson, could stoke confidence in April, at Chase Field, in Phoenix.

All in all, it was a good day for Cook. He even laid down two very sweet bunts.

Of course, the lasting image was that of Cook coaxing three quick groundball outs in his final inning on the hill. It was almost as if he pushed a button and infielder grounders rolled out.

I asked why Cook he went back to his bread-and-butter to finish off his day.

“Just to let them know I’ve got it,” the redhead said with a big grin.

At the plate: It only took Todd Helton 10 at-bats to surpass last spring’s home run total. After hitting one in 58 at-bats a year ago, Helton swatted his second this spring, a monstrous 430-foot blast into the grassy knoll in left-center field. It sounded like a gun shot coming off the bat.

“I am ready for the season to start, so I guess I am (ahead of schedule),’’ Helton said.

Omar Quintanilla continues to enjoy a strong spring that screams that he will land a roster spot, tripling in the first inning

On the mound: Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin never buckled in his first spring training start. One bad pitch – a hanging changeup that Evan Frey tripled to the left-field corner, scoring two runs – smeared an otherwise strong sinker-ball-heavy effort.

“I don’t worry about where I will start the season. Wherever they put me is fine,’’ said Chacin, when asked about the possibility of beginning the season in Triple-A.

Huston Street extended his scoreless streak to three innings with two spotless innings. Notably, he struck out two hitters. He had only one K this spring entering the game.

Pitching in a minor-league game against a mix of different level players, Aaron Cook worked six innings, allowing three earned runs on 78 pitches, while focusing on becoming less predictable.

“I threw a lot of breaking balls and off-speed stuff today,” Cook said. “It’s definitely a luxury to be able to work on this stuff. That’s great in a situation like this where if a guy crushes it really doesn’t matter. I’m just trying to get a feel for my pitches. At the end of the day, we’re all better for it.”

In the field: Left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, re-entering the mix for a roster spot, showed off his athleticism with an over-the-shoulder catch to rob Tony Clark in the fourth inning.

Returning from back surgery, Helton showed no problem charging on bunt plays or navigating a rundown in the third inning.
“More than anything it’s how you feel the next day because you have adrenaline out there,’’ Helton said.

Up next: The Rockies host the Royals at Hi Corbett Field. Ubaldo Jimenez, in his first performance since the WBC, starts followed by leading closer candidate Manuel Corpas, Randy Flores, Juan Morillo and Ryan Speier. The Royals will start Kyle Davies.

At the plate: Colorado’s bats cooled considerably today, though catcher Yorvit Torrealba continues his productive spring. He went 2-for-3 with two solid singles, boosting his average to .348. Seth Smith and Ian Stewart each hit doubles.

On the mound: Starter Greg Reynolds, still in the mix for a rotation spot, was decent for three of his four innings. An effective sinker produced inning-ending double plays in the first and second. In the third, however, the Giants hammered him for four hits, including run-scoring triples by Eugnio Velvez and Fred Lewis. Reynolds regrouped in the fourth, setting the Giants down in order. His biggest problem today was poor curveball location.
The Rockies’ relief corps was nails until Steven Register was hammered in the 10th. Juan Morillo (one inning), Manuel Corpas (one) and Josh Fogg (two) held the Giants scoreless. Fogg, apparently destined for a long relief role, worked out of a jam in the eighth.

In the field: First baseman Todd Helton, continuing his comeback from back surgery, showed nimbleness around the bag in the third inning, making an option-worthy pitch to Reynolds covering first, forcing out Pablo Sandoval by a half-step.
Propect Chris Nelson had a tough day, committing two errors at short.

Footnotes: Garrett Atkins aggravated his right hip flexor two days ago, didn’t play today, and is expected to miss a few days. … Right fielder Brad Hawpe, out of the lineup since Feb. 27 when he cut his left pinky in a game against the Angles, is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday.

Tucson – Third baseman Garrett Atkins has re-aggravated a right hip flexor injury and will miss today’s game and possibly a couple more.

“It’s not a big deal, just sore again,” Atkins said this morning. “We’re just being smart.”

Trainer Keith Dugger said the injury appeared to be completely healed up again, but said Atkins tweaked it two days ago.

“He’s getting treatment and we’ll take it day by day,” Dugger said. “He could be out for a few days.”

So, for the second straight game, Ian Stewart will start at third base. He’ll bat cleanup today after driving in four runs Thursday.

The streaking Rockies, winners of six straight Cactus League games, host the Giants today at Hi Corbett Field.

Right fielder Brad Hawpe (recovering from a lacerated left pinky) is not in the lineup, but said he expects to play Saturday when the Rockies host Seattle.

Todd Helton didn’t make the trek up I-10 to Phoenix on Wednesday or Thursday, but he’s back in the lineup at first base today.

Right-hander Greg Reynolds, who looked solid his last time out, gets the start. With competition tight for fourth and fifth starter, every outing counts for Reynolds.

After a grueling flight back from Puerto Rico, Ubaldo Jimenez arrived back in camp this morning. He’s not sure when he’ll pitch next. He called pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic “an unbelievable experience.”

When the white-hot Rockies, winner of six straight spring training games, resume play today at Hi Corbett Field, Josh Fogg will occupy a new role. He’s technically a candidate for the fifth starter’s spot, but his schedule suggests otherwise. He’s scheduled to follow Greg Reynolds today. If Reynolds goes four, or possibly five, that would leave only two innings for Fogg.

That’s going backward from his previous workload, casting him as a contender for the final bullpen spot in a competition between Juan Morillo, who is out of options, and Matt Belisle. Fogg knew that a long relief was a possibility when he signed a minor-league deal.

He pitched out of the bullpen sparingly for the Rockies and Reds over the past two seasons. There are two spots open following Taylor Buchholz’s elbow injury that will likely keep him out until May (the training staff is understandably being overcautious). However, Ryan Speier, who has no more minor league options remaining, has been praised by Hurdle for his strong camp showing.

At the plate: Ian Stewart found his zone today, proving his left biceps injury is fully healed. He launched a three-run homer off Angels starter John Lackey in the first and added a run-scoring single in the seventh, increasing his spring RBI total to five. Utility candidate Daniel Ortmeier hit a solo homer to right in the fifth, his second homer this spring. Clint Barmes went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, boosting his average to .375.

On the mound: Though not as sharp as his last outing, lefty Franklin Morales pitched a workmanlike four innings, allowing two runs on two hits. He also walked two. One area of concern is Morale’s continued discomfort when men get on base. That led to a first-inning balk, though the Rockies protested the call.
“I tried to throw my fastball inside early and I used my curveball pretty good later on,” Morales said.
Closer candidate Huston Street, his quadriceps 100 percent healthy, threw and aggressive, efficient fifth, setting the Angels down in order.

In the field: Stewart, getting the start at third base, flagged down a hot shot down the line by Torri Hunter in the third inning and fired a perfect throw to first nip Hunter. Earlier in the inning, Stewart barehanded a slow roller by Chone Figgins, easily throwing him out at first.
Center fielder Scott Podsednik went full throttle in the sixth, tracking down a deep fly by Mike Napoli to save a run.
Pitcher Jason Hirsh made an ugly error in the sixth. Hirsh got Kendry Morales to hit a chopper back to the mound, catching Erick Aybar between third and home. But Hirsh tossed the ball over the head of catcher Paul Phillips, allowing Aybar to score.

Footnotes: After a seven-game losing streak to open spring training, the Rockies have won six straight Cactus League games. … Podsednik (three walks) — counting on his speed to help him earn a spot on the roster — stole his third base of the spring in the first. He was thrown out trying to steal in the fifth.

Tucson — A painful spring hurt even more for Jorge De La Rosa today as he was hit by a line drive while pitching to hitters at Hi Corbett Field.
Ryan Spilborghs’ shot hit De La Rosa on his left side, directly below his pitching arm. He stayed on the mound, finishing an encouraging side session under the watchful eye of pitching instructor Bob Apodaca.
“You saw that? Yeah, it hurt a little,’’ said De La Rosa, who was left with a bruise, but no seam marks. “I will be all right.’’
De La Rosa threw for five minutes to Spilborghs and Matt Murton, improving as the session advanced. Spilborghs told De La Rosa that his curveball was nasty, and Murton praised the late life on his fastball. The problem was that De La Rosa lived on the outside corner too much. But the practice session showed progress. I elaborate much more on the session in a new story on the wesbite.

Footnotes
Spilborghs’ finalized his contract today. He will make $415,000 in the majors, $237,600 in the minors. Other notables signing today: Boston’s Jon Lester ($575,000) and Jacoby Ellsbury ($449,500).

Matt Holliday drew a mini-standing ovation after signing autographs for several fans down the left-field line today at Hi Corbett Field. It was symbolic of a day when he was embraced by former teammates.
“It’s different being here as a visitor,” Holliday said. “But it’s great seeing the guys.”
Holliday put on a show during batting practice, losing more than a dozen baseballs over the center- and left-field fences. Holliday looked similar, save for the green top — sleeves again cut at the biceps of course — gray pants and white cleats splashed with metallic green and black.

While Holliday was back for the day, former Oakland pitcher Greg Smith was not. He was sent home today to continue recover from the flu. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca told me that Smith has been scratched from Friday’s start and will be replaced by Greg Reynolds.

“This gives (Reynolds) a chance to seize another opportunity,” Apodaca said. “The plane on his pitches was much better the last time out, and he used his curveball more. But there’s stuff he needs to work on, like staying out of 2-1 counts. … With (Smith), we just need to get him healthy.”

Footnotes
Jeff Baker (right elbow) is not “too far away” from playing in games, according to trainer Keith Dugger, after hitting in the cage and throwing from nearly 90 feet. … Brad Hawpe tested his cut left pinkie finger in the batting cage today and will repeat the session again tomorrow. He’s not expected to play in a game until this weekend. … The team is taking an overly cautious approach with Taylor Buchholz, who has a slightly torn elbow ligament. May 1 remains an optimistic return date.

Todd Helton hit after all today, batting third in nearly every inning for both teams in the intrasquad scrimmage at Hi Corbett Field. Feeling strong after a morning workout, Helton doubled in his first at-bat and singled to left in his third at-bat. He was not listed in the lineup, but was inserted at game time. He finished 2-for-6 through three innings, and every at-bat lasted at least four pitches. Ian Stewart also homered off Huston Street, the only run the right-hander allowed.

Batting for the home team in the top of the first inning, following Eric Young Jr. and Omar Quintanilla, he was vintage Helton.

His first at-bat against projected No. 3 starter Jason Marquis went as follows: first pitch fastball strike on the outside corner, check swing on an inside curveball, ball one high and inside, ball two low, fifth pitch fouled off, sixth pitch ball high and outside, seveth pitch line-drive double that nearly drew chalk down the left-field line. Helton scored from second on a single to left by Carlos Gonzalez.

His second at-bat came against left-hander Glendon Rusch. Facing left-handers is something Helton indentified as important as the spring progresses. On a 1-2 count against Rusch, Helton grounded out to second base.

In a four pitch at-bat his third time up, Helton answered with a hard line drive single between third base and shortstop off Marquis. Helton foul tipped a changeup to start the at-bat, then battled to get into a 2-1 hitter’s count before swatting a fastball into left field.

Facing Rusch a second time, Helton fell behind 1-2 as Rusch painted the outside corner with his fastball. Helton worked the at-bat, getting into a full count, before flying out to center field. That left 2-for-4 in the scrimmage and 3-for-6 counting Sunday’s performance against the Padres.

In Helton’s fifth at-bat, Rusch attacked him again by working the corners. Helton fouled two pitches off, and, with a full-count, flew out to left field, advancing the runner from second to third. Following Stewart’s home run, Helton faced Street. He grounded softly to shortstop.

Helton’s spring debut Sunday still had teammates buzzing this morning. They talked about easy Helton made the game look with his monstrous home run off San Diego’s Chris Young. “What do you expect? That’s Todd,” pitcher Aaron Cook said.

Todd Helton won’t DH in the intrasquad game today at soggy Hi Corbett Field. But there is no reason for concern. He told me this morning his back feels the same as it has after his regular workouts. He will return to the lineup soon, likely Tuesday at home against the Oakland Athletics and former teammate Matt Holliday.
“I feel good,” Helton said.

His home run Sunday was still the talk in the clubhouse. Troy Tulowitzki joked that the game isn’t supposed to “be that easy.” Matt Belisle explained, “You don’t know how hard it is to center a ball like that.” And Ryan Spilborghs summed it up: “It was awesome. Awesome. It was a great moment.”

Some housecleaning: As it stands Jorge De La Rosa said he will start Tuesday against Oakland. Greg Smith, who was back in the clubhouse today following his illness, will likely piggyback. With Panama eliminated in the World Baseball Classic, Manuel Corpas should return to Tucson shortly. He has pitched well this spring as he tries to regain his closer’s role. Reliever Jason Grilli’s Italian team plays an elimination game tonight against Canada in Toronto. And Ubaldo Jimenez will start a must-win game for the Dominican Republic Tuesday against the winner of Puerto Rico and the Netherlands. Rockies’ catcher Chris Iannetta showed off last night, driving in four runs in the Americans’ 15-6 rout of Venezuela last night.

At the plate:Ryan Spilborghs snapped an O-fer spring with a first-inning single. He reached base in all three of his plate appearances, including an RBI single in the sixth. Pinch-hitter Eric Young Jr. plated the go-ahead runs with a two-RBI single, pushed two more across in the seventh when a pop-up ricocheted off Rule V pick Everth Cabrera’s glove for a questionable error and stole a base.

On the mound:Ace Aaron Cook wasn’t as economical as normal – requiring 65 pitches for four innings – but was no less effective. Free to pitch any way he wanted, the All-Star right-hander pounded the Padres with fastballs, including four strikeouts of Chase Headley and Kyle Blanks on sinkers. “I can’t honestly say I was trying to get strikeouts there. I was just focusing on making good quality pitches,’’ said Cook, who finished with six Ks.
Huston Street was everything Cook was not. He faced six batters and five scored. Headley and Blanks both crushed changeups for home runs. After a walk to Nick Hundley, Street was pulled, a concerning outing a day after the team lost setupman Taylor Buchholz (elbow) for at least a month. Street has a 33.83 ERA in two spring appearances. Manuel Corpas, meanwhile, has not allowed a run in four innings, counting work for Team Panama, giving him the early edge in the competition for the closer’s spot.
Five months after shoulder surgery, left-handed reliever Randy Flores made his spring debut, showing resolve. Flores stranded runners on second and third by retiring three consecutive hitters.
Reliever Esmil Rogers provided a Pepto-Bismol moment in the ninth, tagged by Chad Huffman for a grand slam.

In the field: In the bottom of the third inning, second baseman Jonathan Herrera made the Rockies’ best defensive play of the spring, diving fully extended to spear a Chris Burke groundball. Herrera fired a dart to first, but Burke beat the throw. “It was an incredible play. But he was safe,’’ Cook said. Herrera has played short, second and third this spring as he tries carve out a new niche. Third baseman Christian Colonel, Cal Ripken of the Cactus League, made a nice pick and throw to nail Travis Denker, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd. He has appeared in every Rockies’ game this spring.

Footnotes:Based on applause, there were more Rockies’ fans than Padres’ boosters at Peoria Sports Complex. In fact, the Rockies’ fans were louder than any crowd at Hi Corbett Field this spring.

Just because.
That was as good a reason as any for switching up the clubhouse music Wednesday. The only winless team in spring training at 0-7, the Rockies arrived this morning to the heavy metal poundings of System of A Down.

“It’s time to change things up,” said catcher Sal Fasano.

The tracks would have made for a wonderful game of Guitar Hero. Instead, the Rockies will play a B game against the Arizona Diamondbacks today at Hi Corbett Field. Todd Helton worked out vigorously Tuesday, and hinted that he might get in the scrimmage today. He still might, but he’s not in the starting lineup. Garrett Atkins is not playing in today’s game or scheduled to play tomorrow. This was already the plan, and it will also allow a sore right upper leg — tweaked going for a groundball on Monday — a bit of a rest. The lineup:

At the plate: Seth Smith continues to state his case as the starting left fielder, hitting a two-run homer in the sixth. Daniel Ortmeier hit a two-run shot in the fifth. It wasn’t enough to lift the Rockies to their first spring victory. They fell to 0-7.

On the mound: Chalk up two rebounds and a blowout from today’s game.
Starter Greg Smith, competing for the fifth-starter job, described his effort as “top-to-bottom better,” than his last outing. He allowed two runs in three innings, those runs coming on a homer by Casey McGehee in the second.
In previous games, Rockies starters had been instructed to focus on fastball command and not throw much off-speed stuff. But Smith said he had free reign today.
“They took the handcuffs off,” he said. “But I still tried to work on my fastball.”
Left-handed set-up man Allen Embree, rocked in his last outing, found his rhythm today, allowing no hits and striking out one in his lone inning of work. He made a deliberate attempt to slow down his delivery.
“I think I’m a pretty decent self-evaluator,” the 39-year-old said. “The quicker you can make adjustments, the better off you are. For me, it’s about night-in, night-out adjustments.”
The news was not good for struggling right-hander Greg Reynolds. Once again lacking fastball command, he consistently fell behind in the count. The former first-round draft choice served up four runs, including two homers, and walked three in three innings.

In the field: Center fielder Ryan Spilborghs easily patrolled the big outfield at Maryvale Park, hauling in two deep flyballs near the wall.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.